Issuu

WILD ART: “NOBLE RAPTOR” MUSCLES IN ON COOPER’S HAWK TERRITORY

SEE PAGE 6

Collegian

VISIONARIES KEEP THE DREAM ALIVE

LACC

SEE PAGE 4

Los Angeles

WEATHER FORECAST WEDNESDAY

89/64

THURSDAY

82/62

FRIDAY

76/59

SATURDAY

73/58

SUNDAY

71/57

Wednesday, October 25, 2017 Volume 179 Number 3

The Voice of Los Angeles City College Since 1929

CITY ADJACENT

Trash Inundates East Hollywood Streets Near Campus For more information or to report neighborhood trash, call the Department of Public Works LA Sanitation (LASAN) at 1-800-773-2489.

PHOTO BY AMBER MCKENZIE

A 20-foot long pile of garbage that includes broken furniture, ripped near Vermont Avenue on Oct. 3, 2017. Three homeless call the holBy JohAnnA BAQUero Residents near the heavily trafficked corner of Vermont Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard have seen their neighborhood inundat-

ed with garbage as waste disposal companies struggle to keep up with removal. The area’s trash woes began around four years ago, according to Tony Calderon. Calderon is the

manager of a local T-Mobile. He said that despite eﬀorts by the city of Los Angeles, the problem has worsened. Calderon noted that the city has made increased eﬀorts to combat the escalating trash issue over the past year and a half, however these services have been unable to handle the growing volume of refuse. During this time, the city has installed new trash receptacles and hired a private waste removal company to service them twice

per week. For locals like Calderon, eﬀorts such as this are a step in the right direction. Still, more needs to be done. A driver for one of the private waste disposal companies who asked to speak on the condition of anonymity said that “while they are working hard to improve conditions in the area, a lack of drivers limits their eﬀectiveness.” The driver explained that though his employer currently has enough vehicles to sufficiently service the area, strict requirements limit hiring in their industry. The required Class A driver’s licenses and minimum of two years experience have caused a shortage SEE EAST HOLLYWOOD PAGE 6

HOMELESS RECEIVE MIXED RECEPTION Teros

PHOTO BY T.J. LOWELL

Mobile shelter: clothing and other items spill out from the door of a tent located on Willow Brook Avenue behind the Chemistry Building on Oct. 5, 2017. Within 72 hours, the tent and its occupant were gone.

Those living in the neighborhood surrounding the intersection of Vermont Avenue and Willow Brook Avenue have mixed opinions about a homeless camp that occupied a section of the sidewalk. Sentiments vary from indifference to desperation depending on who is asked. Virgil is the manager of the American Ranch and Seafood Market on the same corner. He said he has repeatedly complained to both the Rampart and East Hollywood Divisions of the Los Angeles Police Department. He has received little response. “I asked (the homeless) to vacate that section of the sidewalk myself,” Virgil said, “but they refused

to leave.” He explained that it has affected business. Customers complained about looking at the rubbish that accumulated near the entrance of the store parking lot. “It is unsightly and smells bad,” he said. “The store is not actually losing business, we just get many complaints because it is a place where people buy and eat food,” Virgil said. Security Officer Paulo Cox of the LACC Sheriff ’s Station insisted his department has tried to do something about the homeless camp. While tents continue to spring up around campus, his department finds its hands tied. “It is out of our jurisdiction since it is on the sidewalk,” Cox said. Officers from the Sheriff ’s Sta-

tion may only act if students are being harassed by any of the occupants of the sidewalk while coming to or leaving campus. Their authority is limited to the campus since the sidewalk is considered public property. Catholic Charities of Los Angeles runs a chapter located on Willow Brook Avenue. Known as the St. Mary’s Center, it feeds the homeless in the area. Betty, an employee of the center is unaware of any specific campsite on the sidewalk. Her broader concern is with the families with children living on the streets. She is mainly concerned with the potential health hazards that result from people leaving human excrement on public sidewalks. Other issues take a backburner for Betty, who otherwise expressed

Encampments Spring Up, Police Shut Them Down By KimBerLy Fisher

PHOTO BY ANWAR TORRES

up these encampments.

INDEX Opinion & Editorial Arts & Entertainment Campus Life

2-3 5 7

Photo focus News Sports

4 6 8

On Willow Brook Avenue at the corner of Vermont Avenue, a homeless encampment developed rapidly, blocking pedestrian traffic and leaving some people wondering what could be done about it. The northeast corner of Willow Brook and Vermont had a massive pile of boxes, articles of clothing, broken furniture and trash clumped together. The plot stood about four feet tall by five feet wide. For some, the issue was more about street safety than just aesthetics. “People have to walk into the street to go around it. It’s dangerous,” said Mark Lewis, a local resident. “Cars sometimes come around

the corner pretty fast. Someone could get hit.” People often feel intimidated or threatened by the homeless. It is not uncommon to see pedestrians cross the road or walk in the street to avoid interaction. One of the men living in a tent, Curtis, was forced to leave his home after he became ill and could no longer work. His lack of income left him without the money to pay his rent. “I wish people understood a little better,” Curtis said. When asked how he felt about the other people residing there, he said “some are real good people, but some aren’t. There are a few troublemakers, but I just stay away from them.” Clark Branson, a student at LACC, said his issue was larger than just one corner. These

indiﬀerence about the burgeoning campsites in the neighborhood. Brendan and Stina are a married couple who profess communist political views. They live on Willow Brook Avenue, directly across the street from the campus. The pair was not bothered by the homeless that live in the vicinity. “They seem to be pretty nice guys,” Brendan said. “I wish that the City College could open their doors for these people in some way. At least let them use the showers where the old swimming pool is located ... Let these guys get cleaned up.” The young couple is expecting a child soon, but they never feel in any kind of danger. For them, SEE HOMELESS PAGE 6

camps are a constant reminder of the rising number of homeless people around town. The encampment at the corner of Vermont and Willowbrook was the subject of neighborhood conversation before it inexplicably disappeared. A proposed law by the city’s homeless committee mandates that homeless individuals are only allowed to carry 60 gallons worth of possessions. Police provide them with plastic trash bags and instruct them to disperse once they have packed up everything they can carry. Sixty gallons is roughly equivalent to one blue recycling bin provided by the city of L.A. “It seems like every time I go anywhere, I see a new group of makeshift houses and tents. It feels like the city doesn’t really care,” Branson said. Although the Hollywood United Neighborhood Council has been working to curb the crisis, the growth rate of homeless people keeps SEE APARTMENT SEEKERS PAGE 6

OPINION & EDITORIAL

Los Angeles Collegian — Wednesday, October 25, 2017

EDITORIAL

Ku Klux Klan Clones Go to College

ollegian editors received a letter earlier this month that appeared to be written by the Loyal White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, an organization formed in 2012 that purportedly aims to “restore America to a White, Christian nation founded on God’s word.” How its members plan to achieve this restoration is unclear, though the word “genocide” should not be far from mind. This editorial board believes our readers must be educated and aware of the tactics of supremacist groups. Open and honest dialogue needs to take place in a way that does not legitimize or aid the eﬀorts of hateful ideology. The author’s letter calls for the banning of a book titled “The Slave Prayers,” by Megan Allen, Burn House Publishing. The letter calls for the banning of the book on the grounds that it contains “hateful talk that can start a racial uprising.” It is ironic that such a group would defend their bigotry as an attack on their First Amendment rights through advocating for book censorship. Collegian editors learned of a half dozen other colleges across the nation that received the same letter including campuses in Massachusetts, North Dakota, Florida, Wisconsin and California. “They’re targeting university newspapers, which makes me wonder who set up their campaign strategy,” said Christopher Hagen in an email to the Collegian. Hagen is a reporter with the High Plains Reader, an independent arts entertainment and news weekly in Fargo, ND. Their editors received the exact same letter. “They’re twisting semantics and trying to create a friendlier persona, so those on the fringe might be able to palate their rhetoric.” Lecia Brooks, the outreach coordinator for the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) confirmed in a phone conversation with the Collegian that white nationalist groups are indeed turning up their eﬀorts to recruit young minds. “What’s happening on college campuses is white nationalists groups are engaging in ‘flyering’ to raise the profile of their particular groups, in order to increase their name recognition and recruit new students,” Brooks said. Officials at the SPLC have determined the letterhead to be fake. It does not conform to the stationary used by the Loyal White Knights, and Brooks explained that their logo may have been co-opted to give credence to the letter. Or inspire fear. “This is not something that the Klan typically does,” Brooks said. Klan chapters usually canvas local neighborhoods, leaving flyers on car windshields or in mailboxes. Specific targeting of college campuses

is more closely associated with the antics of Identity Evropa, a hate group that specializes in college recruitment. But why LACC? California is known for its liberal social attitudes, and our campus is one of the most diverse in the state. However, that diversity has made the campus a target for white supremacist ideology: As of 2016, white students made up 18.4 percent of the total campus demographics. The current status of white students at LACC as an ethnic “minority” reflect the imagined anxieties of these hate groups. Identity Evropa and the Loyal White Knights wish to reframe the narrative and portray themselves as victims in a rapidly diversifying world. Seeking out “vulnerable” white males, they warn of an ongoing “white genocide,” agitating fears of white populations being “left behind” in the hopes of attracting individuals that agree. Klan robes once provided the anonymity required to publicly engage in the hateful ideas pushed by these supremacist groups. Social media and digital connectivity have permeated the deepest corners of our physical lives; from ordering cat food with an Amazon dash button to how we find and rate romantic partners via dating apps. It has also become an enclave for the radicalization of young people, particularly so-called “economically anxious” white men and women. The statistics paint a bleak reality. Take for example how in the past eight years, far-right extremists in the United States have committed twice as many violent attacks as “Islamic terrorists,” according to the SPLC. Still, the number of anti-Islamic hate groups has tripled in the past year alone, according to the same data provided by the SPLC. Overall the number of total hate groups across the nation has risen 17 percent since 2014. Of the 900-plus groups identified, over two-thirds are aligned with white-supremacist ideologies and beliefs. Social media profiles allow us to create digital avatars of our physical selves that interact in the digital universe. The vastness of the internet can also provide varying degrees of anonymity. Hiding behind fake profiles and email addresses is a tactic that has replaced the Klan hood as license to spread hate. Multiple requests for comment from the email address provided in the letter we received were unanswered. Lecia Brooks oﬀers a solution to the problem that may seem counterintuitive to many: Colleges and universities with white minority populations like LACC must do a better job of intentionally “bringing in” white student populations to diversity initiatives.

ILLUSTRATION BY NATALIA ZEPEDA/COLLEGIAN

Failing to do this means losing vulnerable students susceptible to white supremacist messaging. Propaganda promises to provide white students with a community and sense of belonging apparently lacking on campuses. How this will be implemented remains to be seen.

Millennials Don’t Suck, Blame the Boomers By Tessa FloRes Plug the word “millennial” into your Google search engine and the adjectives that immediately follow are “lazy,” “self ish,” and the ever-infamous “selfie.” As the largest generation in United States history, Millennials receive the most bombastic critiques and unsavory reputations. In my opinion, these characterizations are completely inaccurate. By definition, anyone born between the years 1980 and 2000 is considered a millennial. By default, they are seen as a workplace malcontent, a “snowflake” of the utmost fragility. However, statistics comparing millennials and previous generations (primarily the Baby Boomers) show that frustrations expressed by many young people aren’t completely unwarranted. Individuals ranging between the ages of 50 to 68 are otherwise known as Baby Boomers. Born

into an era of unprecedented prosperity, they experienced economic and physical security. By today’s standards, they received relatively inexpensive (and widely available) education that prepared them for an open, thriving job market. For Boomers, success was an expectation. For us for 20 to 30 somethings, we face a shrinking middle class and an over-saturated job market. Presently, a college education doesn’t guarantee a well paying job. It will however almost always promise a hefty student loan debt. According to a 2013 study conducted by The Economic Policy Institute, the earning power of young adults has decreased by more than 15 percent since 2000. Diminished earning power has left millennials with less income than earlier generations. Ironically, we remain the most educated generation to date. Eileen Patten is a former research analyst at the Pew Research Center. Patten says that compared to their predecessors, 21 percent more men and 27 percent more women obtained a bachelor’s degree by age 33. In that same study, reports showed that from 2003 to 2013, the average student loan bal-

ance for 25 year olds has increased by $10,926. This is attributed to the ever rising cost of college tuition and inflation. The frequent migration home to live with mom and dad shouldn’t elicit the upturned noses and disapproval that it does. Perceived generational failure shouldn’t lay with millennials; instead, blame should be focused on our struggling economy. Consumption and economic policies established by boomers is largely to thank. The struggle for young people to stay financially independent isn’t a product of laziness or unwillingness to apply oneself, but rather a product of a Baby Boomer leadership. Such leadership has gifted America with a government that is entirely partisan and as self-serving as millennials are accused of being. That doesn’t even begin to touch the environmental degradation we face because the boomers, who left the United States completely reliant on coal and other fossil fuels. Statistics aside, I do agree that there are many aspects of my generation that do not set well with me. The advent of social media has created an unhealthy dependence on our phones and hindered the ability to have healthy personal in-

teractions with others. At times, we are more concerned with our appearance and the image we project to others online, instead of our own reality and self-improvement. We read fewer books and tweet more. We seek reassurance from our peers on the internet, hiding behind the anonymity of a keyboard, We glamorize celebrities that promote excess and materialism. I mean ... the Kardashians. Need I say more? I would truly like to believe that these negatives are just a blip in the big picture. We should be proud of the obstacles we have overcome. The milestones we’ve reached in areas like women’s rights, freedom of speech, racial equality, environmental sustainability and governmental accountability are imperative to what defines us as a generation. We aren’t overly sensitive snowflakes that “get oﬀended by a drop of a hat,” but instead people who are considerate of the human condition. While that doesn’t make us immune to committing the same mistakes as the people before us, it can make us more self-actualized, determined to leave behind a better place for generations X, Y, and Z.

CRACKING THE CODE: HARRY’S FOOD TRUCK By JusTin BRiones Being able to say “I was wrong” is one of the hardest things to do. Admitting defeat and realizing that you are actually not always right is a chal-

lenge for many, myself included. Still, there comes a time in every man’s life where he must hunker down and do just that. That is why I’m writing about Harry’s food truck. Harry’s is loved by many students. Between classes, they flock to this truck to buy an assortment of drinks and food. For two years now I have been an adamant hater of Harry’s. I said that their prices were too high, and that their food wasn’t that good. But now I must take back my previous statements.

In the past, I have written about my swim class. Currently the class is still in session, and I am enjoying it quite well. However, I find that after class I am absolutely starving. My dilemma is that I barely have 30 minutes to shower and book it to my statistics class. This causes an obvious breakfast problem for me. In the third week of school, I had to bite the bullet and order a chicken sandwich from Harry’s. This sandwich put me out $6.50. That is an expensive sandwich!

No drink was included, and I felt that I had been right once again about Harry’s Truck. After the next swimming class, I decided to switch it up. I bought an apple and a chicken taco from Harry, and he only charged me $5! For me, it was strange that a solitary chicken sandwich would cost an extra $1.50. The apple and taco filled me up even more. I feel like I’ve finally cracked the code for Harry’s food truck. I’m happy to say that I’m now satisfied with my breakfast options.

“Traditional” diversity and inclusion programs remain necessary in other parts of the nation where non-white minorities remain the norm. To us, receipt of this letter is a canary in the coal mine. We encourage our community to seriously monitor how LACC moves to address this problem.

HAVE AN OPINION? A STORY IDEA? Email the Collegian: losangeles.collegian@gmail.com

Homeless Students Need Help from College By Tamiko R. WhiTe Often when we think of poverty, homelessness, or food insecurity we don’t really associate those circumstances with college students. Instead, we think of people who are on the outskirts of the academic sphere. Veterans, the mentally ill and the unemployed are the usual faces of individuals expected to be under economic duress. However, there are many students, such as myself, who struggle with food insecurity. While they may not be starving, some often do not have enough food to eat on a daily basis. Food insecurity is a serious and growing problem in the U.S. Students are also struggling to buy books and pay tuition. Finding and maintaining safe/ aﬀordable living spaces is a mounting challenge. Paying for personal or public transportation to get around L.A.’s huge metropolis is not cheap. Hygiene is another issue. Many students do not always have enough money for basic essentials. Necessities like toothpaste, soap and feminine products can be in

short supply. Given the multitude of other economic issues that make daily student life a struggle, we must find a solution to this crisis. Community colleges that service students from all economic backgrounds should do more to help make those students lives easier. So what’s the solution? First, community colleges need to admit there is an issue and then move to address it. Many students like myself are struggling and need help. We do not know where to go to get help. That needs to change. Second, students urgently need to get involved to help their fellow classmates and buffer the issue. Third, each community college must have their own food pantry and enough food to effectively reduce the problem. This program would be specifically designated for poor and struggling students. Finally, community colleges should reach out to the surrounding neighborhoods and urge those individuals to get involved. I propose encouraging people from those neighborhoods to drop off nonperishable foods and hygiene products to stock the community banks. I also advocate for the offering of incentives to homeowners in community college areas that help provide affordable housing to local low-income students. It takes a village.

OPINION & EDITORIAL

COMPILED BY Jordan Rodriguez PHOTOS BY Jordan Rodriguez

What has your experience been with financial aid refunds and loan disbursements this semester?

Los Angeles Collegian — Wednesday, October 25, 2017

JOSEPHINE HARDWELL Human Services Major

JONATHAN ESPITIA Cinematography Major

EDDIE SAGASTUME Computer Science Major

DIANA GALLEGOS Fine Arts Major

“I haven’t received my financial aid funds this semester, and it was a concern I had to check out. I have called them, but they don’t pick up. At first I had thought it was because I had not paid my health fees, which I’d paid before the semester started but still, nothing.”

“I’ve been here every week since spring semester ended. I have done everything I have needed to do, but it seems like there is always a diﬀerent issue ... It’s been frustrating. I did get my financial aid disbursement, but my student loan was supposed to be dispersed on Oct. 1. Nothing has been done.”

“I at least got my classes paid for, but I didn’t receive any additional funds for supplies and books. At times I have to spend most of my day in the library to study ... I know some students who just get a check for just being on campus while others have to go back and forth trying to see what’s going on.”

“When I turned in my application, I was told to wait for two months, and to write an appeal ... I’ve been put oﬀ over and over without any reason as to why I have not received any money ... I have to end up asking my family and friends for money in order to aﬀord supplies for my classes.”

Ink Style: A VISUAL REPRESENTATION OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT

ILLUSTRATION BY KENYATTA ROACH/COLLEGIAN

“Here Comes Rocket Man”

HAVE AN OPINION? A STORY IDEA?

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PHOTO FOCUS

Los Angeles Collegian — Wednesday, October 25, 2017

MORE THAN DACA: VISIONARIES

NOT DREAMERS

By eVe moreno lades in the sky pierced my eardrums, and the blood in my veins have turned cold. The increasing amount of law enforcement invokes fear, as police swarm around protesters and I at the intersection of Wilshire and Vermont in Los Angeles, Oct. 5, 2017. “This is your second warning! Remove yourself from the intersection or you will all be arrested!” Pre-selected participants of the action stayed standing on steel bunk beds shouting, “The police, the immigration, the same sh*#t, they yelled in Spanish.” To my left, a person signals me to move out of their way. Cars swerve around bunk beds almost knocking over participants onto the streets. I feel like I am in a nightmare, the rev of the driver’s engine snaps me into reality, and cold steel blue eyes lock with mine and I began to shout, “Run me over! I’m not scared of you.” The driver swerves toward me, and I rush through cars to continue documenting the action. Undocumented people organized the action. If deportation were to occurs, it would happen on the participant’s terms and not during an ICE raid. We need to stop equating value of an identity, to how much production a person can contribute to the U.S. economy: A narrative DACA contributes to, and one that stigmatizes undocumented folks. The participants of the action were arrested and taken to the West Los Angeles Police Department, where they were all released later that night.

PHOTOS BY EVE MORENO/COLLEGIAN

Photo 1

mented people. Photo 2 Protester holds chains alongside their community members outside of

DACA, however, ending DACA means the lives of 700,000 people will be in jeopardy. Photo 3

to be heard. Photo 4 An art making session facilitated by Myisha Arellano and Eve Moreno

in MacArthur Park. Photo 5

that the issues undocumented people face aren’t issues about immi-

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Los Angeles Collegian — Wednesday, October 25, 2017

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

Jimmy Guzman Conjures Up Schizophrenic Visions on Film By TRissean mcDonalD

PHOTO COURTESY OF ED KRIEGER

‘Enemy of the Pueblo’ Asks: What is the Price of a Soul? By Dave maRTin

ater. Money. Greed. Betrayal and fracking. These are part of the plot in Josefina Lopez’s latest play “Enemy of the Pueblo.” The setting for the story is the town of Milagros, and revolves around one woman, Magdalena Magda, a shaman, and co-owner of the land where the town’s water supply is located. One night Magda has a dream that the people of Milagros are dying, because the water supply that runs through the town is being poisoned. As events unfold, it is revealed that Magda’s brother, Pedro Del Rio, who is also the town’s mayor, has sold his soul to the devil. This was a buyout deal that nets him millions of dollars, by aligning himself with a large corporation who are poisoning the town’s supply of water, through fracking. When Magda gets wind of what is happening, she tries on numerous occasions to warn the people of the imminent danger they are facing from a polluted water supply, only to be stopped by her brother. Who, by the way, has some dirt on his sister, and eventually uses it against her. Instead of being thankful to Magda for trying to save them, the people turn on her. Thus, she becomes an enemy of the pueblo. The story shows how far some people are willing to go, even risking their own lives, and that of their fam-

1. Study African-American History 2. Earn a Skills Certificate 3. Apply for a Scholarship

ilies, just to make a buck. Deep down inside, I believe many of the town’s people knew Magda was right, but it didn’t matter, money speaks louder than words.

“THE MESSAGE OF THE PLAY WAS QUITE CLEAR: ALL OF US HAVE A MORAL RESPONSIBILITY TO CARE FOR PLANET EARTH.” The other reason the people did not listen was, because if word ever got out that the town’s water supply was contaminated, it would lose a lot of money from the tourists that came to visit. All that people could see were dollar signs in their eyes. No one else’s life mattered. Making the almighty buck was all that was important. The message of the play was quite clear: all of us have a moral responsibility to care for planet Earth. It’s the only place we have. If we allow it to be destroyed, then where will we go? That is why we cannot allow greed to dictate our moral obligations to this planet or each other. “Enemy of the Pueblo” will run from Oct. 20 - Nov. 12 Fridays & Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 5 p.m. at CASA 0101 Theater 2102 E. 1st St. Los Angeles, CA 90033. For more information, call (323) 263-7684, or email info@casa0101.org.

Art is the magic of creative imagination, a universal platform that stirs up controversy. The imagination of one artist may be accepted or denounced by others. The Spanish artist, Pablo Picasso is a perfect example of art being controversial. The eccentric accents within his art is either viewed as a masterpiece, or perhaps diﬀerent pieces of a puzzle being grotesquely morphed into one whole image. Jimmy Guzman, an IMDb member, as well as a LACC student who is currently working on a film project, is majoring in production and filming. The project is called “Someone’s After Me.” The character is schizophrenic and believes he’s being chased by someone else; however, he eventually realizes that he’s chasing himself. “At the end, he accidentally stabs himself,” Guzman said. Filmmakers and directors from whom he draws inspiration are Alfred Hitchcock, Steven Spielberg, Robert Rodriguez, Quentin Tarantino, and Lon Chaney. Lon Chaney’s unique artistry moved Guzman deeply, opening a path of interest in filming and production at an early age. “The first one I watched was “Phantom Of The Opera,” and “Hunchback of Notre Dame” from the late silent films. That’s what inspired me to become a filmmaker,” Guzman said. Guzman’s film genre of interest is horror. Considering that Spielberg isn’t a horror film director, he is still one of Guzman inspirational figures. The main two films of Spielberg that amuse Guzman are legendary films, and were also amusement park rides at Universal Studios Hollywood. “ET and Jurassic Park. They’re like, the most fascinating movies he made. Plus, the bike scene from ET, that song … oh my god, like, I almost cried. And that Jurassic Park thing that he created… oh my god, he created magic,” Guzman said. Today’s horror films do not interest Guzman. The suspense is no longer present.

PHOTO BY RICHARD MARTINEZ/COLLEGIAN

Predicting what may occur before it happen, and actually witnessing the prediction unfold could discourage people from going to the movies. “I’m afraid to watch it, people already know what to expect when they go to the movies,” Guzman said. Guzman’s idea to improve today’s horror, is intensifying the suspense. It’ll cause the audience to be at the edge of their seats, and people eyes to be glued to the big screen anticipating each suspenseful moment. “Nobody would see it coming,” Guzman said. “And towards the end, it’ll be like, ‘oh sh*t!’ They thought it was [this] guy, but naw, it was [this] guy all this time.” Dreams of making it to Holly-

wood are starting to unfold for Guzman. “Little Maniac” is a short horror film that Guzman launched Oct. 18, 2016. This film is documented within the IMDb database, and could be viewed on YouTube. Jimmy Guzman and Natalie Rodriguez directed the film. Guzman wrote “Little Maniac” with the aid of his brother Shaun Guzman, who co-wrote the horror film. The goal for Guzman is not to stir up controversy. Rather, it’s an opportunity to express his imagination. Yet, Guzman is aware of the potential controversy that surrounds his artistry. “I try to keep my movies as positive as I can. If I get feedback, I’m going to take it as a positive. And if people don’t like the movies, I’ll make more movies,” Guzman said.

African-American studies at Los Angeles City College provides a

required courses. Nine of those credits must be in AfricanAmerican studies.

COURSE OPTIONS:

SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTS:

WHAT IS A DENTAL TECHNOLOGIST?

HOW MUCH DO DENTAL TECHS EARN?

Afro AM 4 - The African-American in the History of the United States I

• Applicant must have a 3.0 GPA

Dental technologists improve a patient’s appearance and quality of life.

• Total units completed should not exceed 90

Learn how to make dentures, bridges, crowns, implants, orthodontic appliances and other prostheses, and become the co-creator of beautiful smiles.

Dental technicians are in high demand and earn from $33,000 to $46,000 annually in the early stages of their careers. Experienced dental technologists, lab owners and sales representatives earn in excess of $100,000 a year.

Afro AM 5 - The African-American in the History of the United States II

• Plan to transfer to a four-year university or college

Afro AM 7 Afro AM 20 - African-American Literature I Afro AM 60 (same as Music 135) - African-American Music

THE MOON, COLLINS, EALY SCHOLARSHIP

Anth 102 - Human Ways of Life (Cultural) history 73 - Race and Racism in the United States sociology 11 States

“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” - Malcolm X

Dental technicians use their skills in a variety of situations. They work in dental offices, laboratories and hospitals.

ACCREDITATION

WHAT TYPES OF JOBS ARE OPEN TO A DENTAL TECH?

The Dental Technology (DT) Program at Los Angeles City College (LACC) is one of the only two community college programs in California accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.

Dental technicians work as entrepreneurs, instructors in vocational education programs, technical advisers for manufacturing companies or as dental sales representatives.

The LACC DT Program is ranked #1 in the country. LACC students pass the Recognized Graduate (RG) Dental Technologist exam at a rate of 95%.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT ARAX COHEN 323-953-4000 EXT. 2501 COHENAS@LACITYCOLLEGE.EDU

NEWS

Los Angeles Collegian — Wednesday, October 25, 2017

NEWS BRIEFS CompiLed By sArAh hope

Support Group Comforts Sexual Violence Victims All students are welcome regardless of gender, race or sexuality. This is a safe place for sharing, healing, and support. Students gather every Tuesday at 4 p.m. on the second floor of the Student Union Building in the Cub Room.

Anger Management Workshop Oﬀered at City LACC’s Student Health & Wellness Center is hosting an anger management workshop. Students can learn to manage and control their thoughts and actions, and receive support from peers learning the same skills. The workshop will take place in the Student Services Building, from 5 - 6 p.m., Wednesdays Sept. 20 - Nov. 8. Students can sign up now at the Student Health and Wellness Center. Each session is limited to 10 participants.

Theatre Academy Presents ‘The Government Inspector’ “The Government Inspector,” a tale of human greed and political corruption, is the latest oﬀering by the Theater Academy. The play will run until Oct. 28 at the Cameo Theatre. For more information on show dates and times, visit the college website. General admission tickets cost $15, and $10 for students.

Sister Talk Calling all women to come drop by to support and motivate each other. Thursday Oct. 26 in the Student Union Building, in the Cub Room, the event will be hosted on the second floor at 12:30 p.m.

Spring 2018 Registration Appointments Available Now Students should have received an email about registering for the upcoming spring semester. Checking the new student information system will provide a registration appointment. Students can begin checking for appointments now.

Vets to Sponsor Art Show Fine art talents of veterans will be on display from Nov. 6 -10 at the Student Union Building on the Second Floor in the Student Lounge. Students who have family members such as siblings, or aunts and uncles in the military are invited to exhibit artwork as well. More information is available from the Veterans Resource Center.

Attend College for Free Your First Year L.A. College Promise allows students that graduate in 2017 from a LAUSD high school or charter school the opportunity to attend college for free during their first year. They must be eligible for California in-state resident tuition to qualify. To sign up, students can log on to the LACCD student portal and sign oﬀ on the promise note.

TRASH FROM PAGE 1

EAST HOLLYWOOD SIDEWALKS BURIED UNDER TRASH of drivers. In addition to these ongoing shortages, drivers are restricted to specific routes and are not permitted to collect trash from adjacent properties. These obstacles to efficiency have delayed collection times leaving more streets awash with garbage. The condition of the streets has earned the ire of local resident Hilda Zabala. Frustrated with the city’s lack of response to the issue, Zabala is concerned about the safety of those in her neighborhood. She claims she has seen children playing dangerously close to the various trash heaps. Oftentimes these sites contain not only rotting garbage but also drug paraphernalia left behind by the local homeless population. Despite numerous attempts to reach city officials to file complaints, Ms. Zabala has seen no permanent solution implemented. “The city responds initially,” she said, but within mere days of receiving service the streets and sidewalk are covered in trash again. Julio Melendez, the manager of L.A. Radiator & Automotive, agreed with Zabala. He has observed many of the same consequences caused by the lack of an eﬀective waste removal service. He expressed his own frustration

with the city and claims that the mounting problem is detrimental to his business. Melendez has contacted the Hollywood Beautification Team and advocated for additional trash cans to be placed on the sidewalk. Still, since their installation these receptacles have been consistently underserviced, according to Melendez. “Additional law enforcement may be the only solution to this issue,” he said. In his view, this is one of the few remaining solutions to the problem. Officer Hernandez from the LACC Sheriﬀ’s Station explained that her main duty is to keep students safe. She views the local homeless population as the main source of the ongoing trash issue. Hernandez says that the trash problem is only a symptom of a larger sickness aﬀecting the city. In her opinion, the need for additional homeless shelters is of the utmost importance. It appears that trying to address the efficacy of trash removal without first confronting the issue of homelessness would mean ignoring the underlying ills of the community. Only when the decision to embrace these difficult challenges is made can the city begin to find a permanent solution for the problem.

HOMELESS FROM PAGE 1

NEIGHBORS REACT TO HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS the neighborhood is safe. There is never a need to call the police. “I wish the government would do something more about the homeless issue as far as providing them housing,” Stina said. Brendan agreed. “They should tax the rich to help pay for it,” he said. Services like overnight shelter are provided by local organizations. The governing rules for resident behavior in these facilities are often very strict. Residents must abide by stringent curfews and follow behavioral guidelines. These overly structured environments can drive people away, causing them to reject the services of the shelters. Shelter residents report being treated “like criminals” for being in an unfortunate situation. Neil was a homeless man who lived in a tent across the street from the camp. Brendan and Stina knew him and said that he was an “alright guy” who suﬀered from a hoarding problem. Neil’s possessions had begun to overflow from the sidewalk into the gutter. He did have plans to clean it up, eventually. Neil told reporters that he ended up homeless after breaking

up with his girlfriend. Without a “plan B” for how he would live, he ended up back on the streets. At the time of this article, Neil is waiting for government assistance that will help him pay for the first and last month’s rent needed when applying for a place to live. “I feel safe over here,” Neil said. “Nobody really bothers us as long as we keep the area buttoned up and clean. The campus police sometimes tell us to leave in the morning when the students are first arriving to school.” There seems to be no immediate solution for L.A.’s homelessness crisis. Data compiled by the Los Angeles Homeless Authority has identified approximately 58,000 out of 10 million people are currently homeless in the county. This number has jumped 23 percent in the past year, quadrupling the percentage of homeless residents. Aﬀordable housing evaporates faster than resources can be provided. The problem is growing, with no signs of abating. Eﬀorts by local organizations can help, but limited resources in either money or manpower are barely making a dent in the numbers.

Red-tailed, Cooper’s Hawks Share Airspace Over Campus By T.J. LoweLL A quick-thinking music major used his cell phone to capture the image of a juvenile Red-tailed hawk, perched on a fence outside the Science and Technology building on Oct. 12, 2017. The Red-tailed hawk along with the Cooper’s hawk “are the most common and widespread raptors in the urban areas of Los Angeles,”

according to Kimball Garrett, the Ornithology Collections Manager at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles. These hawks share the skies above campus. While the two birds of prey can appear similar, Garett says that adult red-tailed hawks have “a rather diﬀerent plumage” and that a Cooper’s hawks are generally smaller in size.

Peter Bonilla is the music student who snapped the photos. “I instantly froze in my tracks, whipped out my iPhone 5s … As I slowly crept closer to this noble raptor … I noticed that he started to get a bit nervous at about six feet,” he stated in an email to the Collegian. Bonilla wanted to share his “rare and fabulous” experience with the campus community.

DUAL ENROLLMENT PROMOTES HIGHER EDUCATION By AngeL Johnson Most high school students go home, practice a sport, or hang out with friends after a day of learning. Others take advantage of dual enrollment opportunities. They leave school and come to Los Angeles City College and other community colleges to take college courses. The transition from high school to college may be hard for some teens, but dual enrollment can help them with the transition they will experience once they graduate from high school. Sumaiya Sabnam is a junior attending UCLA Community School during the day and takes Spanish 002 here at LACC. She is in the UCLA Early Academic Outreach Program (EAOP). “For high school students, I think it’s free to enroll in LACC classes. I have to pay for the books and all,” Sumaiya said. The Early Academic Outreach Program not only prepares student for college, but pushes them to go beyond their minimum requirements. Eighty-seven percent of high school graduates who are in this program attend a four year institution and 25 of the 87 percent attend a UC school.

Another program that allows high school students to attend LACC is the Upward Bound program. This program has been offered at LACC since 1995. Upward Bound prepares first generation college students who come from low income homes. The Upward Bound program is funded to work with four high schools: Belmont High School, Hollywood High School, Fairfax High School, and Manual Arts High School. Every summer, these high school students enroll into courses to gain the experience of what it is like to be in college. “The most significant component of our program that leads to their success through college to get a degree is giving them that experience while they’re in high school,” said Michael Lopez, the director of the Upward Bound program at L.A. City College. Students who are in the program not only get to be in a college environment, but also experience the challenges of being a college student. Four years ago, the Federal TRIO program added a new program called Upward Bound Math-Science (UBMS), which is for students who would like to

earn degrees and pursue careers in math and science. This specific program is oﬀered at West Los Angeles College. UBMS at West Los Angeles College is funded for three high schools: Susan Miller Dorsey High School, Los Angeles High School, and Crenshaw High School. Over the summer, Toi Carter, a junior at Dorsey High School, took a biology course at West Los Angeles College. “We were in class with other college students and we were treated the same,” Carter said. There are many students who are afraid to go to college because of stories they hear from other people. Dual enrollment shows teens what they will be doing in college and that there is nothing to be afraid of. Dual enrollment programs provide high school students an insightful path to success. “Dual enrollment allows for high schoolers enough of a glimpse into college coursework to eliminate most of their fears and preconceived notions about college and their ability to successfully perform on the college level,” said Paul Hill II, the UBMS coordinator at Dorsey/Crenshaw.

ENCAMPMENTS FROM PAGE 1

Apartment Seekers Face Shortages as Rents Rise

increasing. Some think it is due in large part to the skyrocketing rental prices. “Many people are being forced out of their homes by real estate developers coming through and buying up properties,” said Colleen, a woman wishing to be identified by first name only. “They then tear down the structures and build new, higher priced apart-

ments and lofts. Most of us can’t aﬀord it.” Colleen added that she feels fortunate to have family nearby so she has a place to go. Unfortunately, not everyone is so lucky. “We’re just trying to get by,” said an unidentified man using a tree branch to tie up his tent. It created a small amount of shade for him and his dog.

PHOTO BY CLIFF CHENG/COLLEGIAN

The third annual Amber Rose Slut Walk took place in downtown Los Angeles with hundreds of marchers

SLUT WALK, WOMEN MARCH FOR LIBERATION By sArAh hope Amber Rose’s annual Slut Walk began at the intersection of 1st Street and Hill Street on Oct. 1,2017 in downtown Los Angeles with festivities commencing in Pershing Square. Hundreds of protesters gathered to raise awareness of sexual violence against women, the Los Angeles Times reported. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos announced the repeal of certain aspects of Title IX, which protected many services oﬀered to college students in the promo-

tion of safe, consensual practices. After such a huge announcement, the reasoning behind the protest holds even more weight. “So think about how many women all over the world who are getting raped and victimized by powerful men like Donald Trump, and they don’t say anything, because they can’t,” Rose said in an interview with Vibe magazine. Protesters marched for the right of women everywhere to be able to embrace their sexuality, and be free from sexual violence. The festivities were colorful and passionate, reflecting the spir-

it of the women in attendance. The marchers cheered, chanted, and strutted. They were scantily clothed but both proud and unapologetic, claiming their right to do, wear, or say whatever they want, without the risk of retaliatory violence. In an interview with Time magazine, Rose promoted individual freedom for women stating “being slut shamed for being who you are is just not fair. You should live your life to the fullest and do anything and everything that you want and not care about anyone’s opinion.”

CAMPUS LIFE

Los Angeles Collegian — Wednesday, October 25, 2017

City Highlights Services for Disabled Students By sahaRa velasQueZ

tudent speeches, jeopardy, prizes and free pizza were part of the Disability Awareness Day event hosted by the Associated Student Government (ASG), Office of Special Services (OSS) and the Health Center, on the Quad last week. Gaby Toapanta is the Senator of Student Services for ASG. She was in charge of this event. “Disability Awareness Day is an event that was created to raise awareness about students with disabilities in LACC and to provide support for students with disabilities,” said Toapanta. “We want them to know that they are acknowledged and they have resources not just in school but outside in the community as well.” The event kicked oﬀ with inspiring speeches, by students. The speakers shared their challenges and victories as students with disabilities. There were tables that were laid out with informational brochures. The informational brochures provided additional resources for students with disabilities. Some of these informational brochures include information regarding the Autism Society of Los Angeles, The Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness, Inc., and Southern California Counseling Center. There was also a jeopardy game that tied in with disabilities. The jeopardy game included questions like “which famous actor who starred in ‘Shutter Island’ and

‘Romeo and Juliet’ also has obsessive compulsive disorder?” The correct answer was Leonardo Dicaprio. Another question that was part of the jeopardy game related to replacing words that may seem oﬀensive to something more appropriate. An example of this was, “My friend Jennifer had to use a step stool to reach the top shelf because she is a midget.” The answer for this question was, “replace midget with little person.” Prizes such as Kindle Fires, backpacks, and Hydro Flasks were given to some winning participants. Sivmorn Hei was one of the participants that won in the jeopardy game. She won a Kindle Fire and a Hydro Flask. “The jeopardy game was really educational, informative but really fun at the same time,” said Hei. “I felt like I learned a lot. This game really opened up my eyes because I didn’t realize that some words that we use can actually be oﬀensive. I didn’t realize that there were other ways of replacing certain words to make them be less discriminating.” Toapanta also had the Deaf Life Club be part of the event. She said she wanted to give the most representation to everyone with disabilities. Toapanta said the Deaf Life Club deserved a spot to be part of the event. This is the very first Disability Awareness Day hosted at Los Angeles City College (LACC). This event came about with Edward Gomez who is the Senator of Resource Services. They wanted to create an event for student dis-

PHOTO BY JORDAN RODRIGUEZ/COLLEGIAN

ability awareness even before they ran for office. Toapanta said she wants this event to come back next semester. “I felt like it was important to

have events like these but not just once a year,” said Toapanta. LACC student, Erick Escalera, saw the event on ASG’s Facebook, and decided to attend.

“I think it’s good to bring awareness for disabled students,” said Escalera. “Sometimes we encounter fellow classmates that have a disability and we don’t know

what to do or say. It’s great to have people informed with this event and also through brochures. This event also opens your eyes to treat everyone with kindness.”

THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT:

MICROSOFT OFFICE

Have you ever found yourself in need of Microsoft Office for an assignment, but when you see the price tag you go back to Google Docs?

Circle K Embodies Service, Leadership, Fellowship By sahaRa velasQueZ The Hollywood Christmas Parade, the Lupus Walk, and the Ronald McDonald House for Kids are just a few of the events that Circle K International has volunteered at. Circle K is a club that mainly focuses on serving the community through volunteer work. Circle K International was officially chartered on July 11, 2012. Steven Diermissen is the current president and Byron Urrutia is the vice president. “We usually describe Circle K International around three tenants,” Urrutia said. “For our organization the three tenants are service, leadership and fellowship. Through service, we usually do community service by volunteering. We gain leadership qualities by taking on the responsibility of managing a club. We also socialize with other college students through social events.” Circle K International is more

than a local college club. It is an organization that has Circle K clubs around the world in several colleges, and universities. “The club is really structured in the way that we have positions through diﬀerent levels within the organization,” Diermissen said. “Within the local club, we have positions like the president and vice president. Then we have an upper person, called the lieutenant governor, who is in charge of diﬀerent schools in something that makes up a division. There is an entire board dedicated to look over that division.” Los Angeles City College closely works with Pasadena City College, California State University Los Angeles, California State Polytechnic University Pomona, Mt. San Antonio College and Claremont College. Together, these six schools create the Foothill Division. Sometimes, two schools work together and volunteer at an event together Circle K International can also

be found in high schools, middle schools and even elementary schools. In the K-12 system, the club is not called Circle K and instead goes under diﬀerent names like Key Club or Builder’s Kids, but essentially it is the same club as they pertain the same focus; helping the community by volunteering. The leaders of the club have the opportunity to be leaders for a whole year. The cycle runs from April 1 to March 31. Every year, the leaders get elected not just in the club level but within the organization as well. Diermissen and Urrutia both have their personal reasons regarding taking up a leadership position in this club. But they say the club means a lot to them. “What made me take a position in this club was that I wanted to take more responsibilities,” Urrutia said. “I felt like I was pretty introverted and I just wanted to be

more socially active and more socially skilled.” “I joined the club about a year and a half ago and initially I didn’t want to take a position. I didn’t think of myself as a leader,” Diermissen said. “But the more I interacted with the people in this club and other schools, I decided that I liked what we were doing as a club. I decided to be president because I wanted to find a way to lead the club and do more volunteer events.” Most of the events that Circle K hosts usually take place over the weekend. Having the events over the weekend makes it easy for members of the club to be able to attend events as they do not have school. The members of the club are not expected to attend every event. They can attend as many or as little events as they wish. Circle K International has their meetings Tuesday at 4 p.m. in Holmes Hall, Room 102.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT Scan the QR code TO VISIT OUR MULTIMEDIA BLOG FEATURING COVERAGE OF OUR COMMUNITY AND BEYOND.

If so, I have the perfect solution for you, and it’s free! By maRlon moReno Microsoft Office is the default document format for many papers that you have to submit in college. Even in the Apple age, the majority of professors utilize this software. Because the preferred operating system for schools and business has been Microsoft’s Windows, students may need to use the proprietary applications that work with it. However, the price of this software seems very steep at $150 and many students would not be able to aﬀord it. But there are a couple of solutions that will help you in a hurry. Mobile Apps: Microsoft now lets you have the utility of their desktop applications on the go. The mobile apps oﬀer many of the applications and tools of their non-mobile counterparts. You can edit, spell check, and even save on your device or the cloud. The only disadvantage is that

they don’t offer the full functionality of desktop. There are apps for Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote but if you need to use Publisher or Access you are out of luck. The apps are free for both Android and iPhone. Browser Apps: These web applications are life savers if you are stuck away from home but you have a wifi connection. The Office Web Apps work on your browser, just like Google Docs but for Office documents. You can download or save directly to the cloud. But, these apps don’t offer the full effect of the desktop software. You can find access to the apps through the Office website. Desktop Apps: I know, I said it would be free and it is. However, you will get this software not from Microsoft, but from Canvas. What happens is that LACC has bundled up Microsoft Office for students when they buy the software for their computers. So now you have the opportunity to get Microsoft Office 365 for free, all you need to do is download it. To get this software you just have to sign in to Canvas and go to the email link in the right menu. Then, you will be directed to the welcome page of your email, and in the upper right corner you will see a download office button, click on it and install. After the programs are installed in your computer open any of them and, when it prompts you to sign into your account, use your school email and password. The only downside to this is that Mac users won’t be able to use this software since it is Windows only. Now you’ll have no excuse to turn in your paper late. Remember to let technology be your friend!

POLICE WIRE or visit collegianwired.tumblr.com

comPileD By anGel Johnson

• •

10/10/17: There were suspicious circumstances in the Women’s Gymnasium. 10/12/17: There was a petty theft in the Main Quad.

SPORTS

Los Angeles Collegian — Wednesday, October 25, 2017

SPORTS BINS CORRUPTION EXISTS IN COLLEGE ATHLETICS, PEOPLE By mynoR PeRalTa

PHOTO BY CLIFF CHENG/COLLEGIAN

From the Mountain

By kyle Blaylock ow does a front office restore a proud Major League Soccer team down on its luck? In 2016 the L.A. Galaxy were conference semi-finalists only one season removed from being crowned MLS Champions in 2014. The 2017 L.A. Galaxy were dead last in the MLS, with the fewest victories and points as well as allowing the other team to kick three or more goals in too many games. Every position on the field has been a problem area at some juncture in the season. During the cruel summer the Galaxy had a scoreless streak spanning 350 minutes. The club had only one winning streak in the whole season of a lofty three games back in May. Despite the pitiful milestones achieved by this Galaxy team, they were able to muster up a glorious victory 3-0 against Minnesota United in their home finale. The Galaxy’s woes are due to a myriad of setbacks. The first domino to fall was back in 2015 when the goalie Jaime Penedo went elsewhere for a bigger contract, he was the primary goalie during the championship run of 2014. Much of the coaching staﬀ left Los Angeles to work with the United States Men’s National Team (only to not qualify for the World Cup). The roster could not maintain good health throughout the season. Injuries began to pile up with Robbie Rogers needing ankle surgery, Sebastian Lletget getting injured playing with the National Team, and Jermaine Jones hurting his knee. The Galaxy traded A.J. DeLaGarza to Chicago for salary cap relief. It has been a bizarre and unlucky year. “We’ve moved on from a team that was old, that was built to win last year,” Galaxy President Chris Klein said. “I don’t know if I’d call it a youth movement, but we needed a reset with our team.” Becoming a title contender, once again, is a daunting puzzle to solve. It is unlikely that they will face the same challenges next season. Since the World Cup occurs once every four years, the National Team Men’s Team is not going to recklessly borrow the Galaxy’s good players till 2022. Getting their injured players put back together is a great start, and everyone hopes that Robbie Rogers recovers well. The General Manager Dan Beckerman will have to make some hard decisions going forward. Emmanuel Boateng should probably get sold or traded. Jermaine Jones is too heavy of a salary cap burden. A franchise goalie is a must, the team must not rotate the same three guys who have been inconsistent all year.

The Department of Justice announced the arrest of assistant coaches from Arizona, Southern California, Auburn, and Oklahoma State. Along with this was the arrest of an Adidas executive, basketball organizer, and an Amateur Athletic Union coach, they were also charged with bribery. It is not a secret that there is corruption in college sports. The federal government is investigating college basketball employees on charges that outside entities have paid coaches and staﬀ to pressure athletes to sign with specific companies like Nike and Adidas. Although it may seem crazy for people to think this happens, for anyone who actually follows the progress of athletes from high school to the professional level, this is not surprising. There are many examples that show how athletic programs have decided that winning is their number one priority, and they will do anything to recruit the top players in the nation. One of the most notorious cases involved the University of Miami, whose booster Nevin Shapiro, who was arrested for creating a Ponzi scheme, gave millions of dollars to Miami’s football team. A Ponzi involves a person who makes money for older investors by recruiting new investors into the scheme and using their money to pay them. This money would then go to the athletes on the team, which would serve as an incentive to sign with an agency that was owned in part by Shapiro. For somebody that is involved in this type of business to be able to donate money to college athletics shows that these programs do not care about the athletes but about their success on the field. The most recent case involves the University of Louisville basketball program, and their coach Rick Pitino. Pitino’s methods included throwing lavish parties, paying the recruits cash, and

providing the athletes with escorts. All this is just what has been found through investigations. There are many colleges that use these methods to recruit athletes into their programs. Then he went on an ESPN television interview to explain in full detail how he passed a lie detector test issued to him by investigators, still defending his greed. Many of the kids that get paid are from low-income backgrounds that see sports as an escape route for themselves and their families. The colleges, companies, and agents use these circumstances to persuade the athlete to sign and play for them. This must change for the betterment of the image of college athletics.

“COLLEGE SPORTS IS AN EXPLOITIVE SYSTEM THAT MAKES MONEY FOR OTHER PEOPLE, AND NOT THE ATHLETES.” It would be simpler if the National Collegiate Athletic Association would let student-athletes earn money through the use of their own image. This would involve companies like Adidas and Nike to be able to pay these athletes to represent their brand while in college. It would not solve the problem of certain colleges being paid to represent one brand but it will be the beginning to solving the issue that has continued to haunt college sports for a long time. College sports is an exploitive system that makes money for other people, and not the athletes that earn the revenue. The NCAA in 2012 reported an estimated $871.6 million in revenue. Most of that money comes from television deals with major networks, not including how much the schools make in ticket and concession sales at the stadiums. It’s unbelievable that this amount money is made, yet is not made available to help pay the student athletes. This exploitation needs to end if the NCAA does not want anymore federal investigations into their shady business.

Oklahoma City Has a Great Shot at a Championship By eDDy PaRk

PHOTOS BY CLIFF CHENG/COLLEGIAN

: Minnesota United

LA Galaxy players Jospeh Granspan and Jerm-

Minnesota United. : LA Galaxy socUnited player Ibson, and play at Stub Hub Center

The team has many needs, and defense is most certainly the top of them. It would be good if the team was able to keep a fiery vet like Ashley Cole, who blasted the team for its lack of heart and character after the final game. Gal-

axy must sign a big time striker to put more pressure on opposing clubs on defense. A Galaxy fan can always hope another big time Euro-Star like David Beckham decides to grace the City of Angels once again.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have what it takes to take the title. It is too early to tell, but it looks like the Thunder will be exponentially better after the big offseason trades. Most people and experts think the Warriors will easily win but the Thunder can prevail. They have added great scorers like Carmelo Anthony and Paul George in addition to reigning MVP Russell Westbrook. The team is capable of winning more than 50 games and improving on their 5th seed position from last season. Carmelo Anthony, a NBA 10time All Star player that played for the New York Knicks was traded to the Thunder late in the offseason. Anthony scored 24.7 points per game while playing with the Knicks for the past seven seasons. “This is a deal we feel works for both this franchise and Carmelo. We thank him for his seven seasons in a Knicks uniform and all that he accomplished off the court

for the City of New York by using his platform to address social issues,” President Steve Mills said. Anthony agreed to be traded from the Knicks to the Thunder, after waiving the no-trade clause. The Knicks receive Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott, and a second round pick for Anthony. During an interview Anthony told the media that it was a quick decision. Paul George (6-9, 220), averaged a career-high 23.7 points on a career-best 46.1 percent shooting from the field and 39.3 percent from long distance, 6.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.59 steals and 35.9 minutes in 75 games (all starts) with Indiana during the 2016-17 season. The Pacers have agreed to trade Paul George to the Thunder in exchange for two players Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. Sam Presti said that he welcomed George to the team and that he would be the best fit and the right man to play for the Thunder. If Steven Adams continues to get better at Center and if the Thunder can get consistent production from the SG spot they will be very hard to beat. This oﬀseason trade makes the Thunder one of the few teams that can challenge the Warriors in the West because the Rockets are unstable in a playoﬀ series and the Spurs do not have a lot of depth.